Ellas Titans and TV Jets take out thrilling grand finals
Darwin has two new DBA Championship winners as the Ellas Titans and Tracy Village Jets got the job done in the big dance. Catch up on the action and see who the top performers were.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With one side winning their first ring and a game coming down to the final play, the 2023-24 DBA Men’s and Women’s championship grand finals had it all.
Catch up on all the action below.
GRAND FINALS
WOMEN
Ellas Titans 78 def. 73 Lightning):
The Ellas Titans have fought their way to a maiden title after a thrilling five-point victory over the Lightning in a historic grand final clash.
Both sides were level at 16 wins and four losses through the regular season, it was anybody’s game to win.
Off to a blistering start that saw a few missed shots, the two sides finally warmed up and it was Lightning who opened the scoring for the night.
Pinging them from range, Lightning had a clear tactic, spread Titans wide and get open from range.
Going bucket for bucket Titans took a slim 20-17 lead at the quarter break.
Much like the first, the second period was also very frantic as both sides showed their hand, shooting from range when possible.
After a bit of a holding pattern, Titans’ Cecily Rankin burst into the game and delivered an injection of raw energy that her teammates tapped into, resulting in dazzling runs up the court.
Lightning held their ground and responded with their own spark in Taneesa Hampton, who alongside Claire Maree Hunt and Chelsea Wood kept their side within four points at the half.
With 20 minutes to play in the season, things started to get heated on the court, with a number of personal fouls and unneeded physicality creeping into the contest.
Nonetheless, both sides continued to stick to their game plan, Lighting hitting their shooters out wide and Titans driving the paint and out wide.
Ellas were balling in the third, making deep threes and got themselves out to a 63-51 lead.
In the fourth, it was the Hunt show.
The former Salties player took no prisoners and was on a mission to get it done for her side.
However, the staunch defence of the Titans, spearheaded by Bollmann and Amy List was too much, sealing the Titans’ first DBA Women’s Championship title.
“To hear all the cheering from both sides mixed with the fierce battle on the court made this such an amazing contest,” Bollmann said.
“It took a while but we finally learned how each other plays and that really came out in the game tonight.
“Our main focus was to limit the three-point shooting as they’ve got some brilliant shot takers, so we were almost running them off the three point line and making them flustered.
“And offensively as well, we were making some great plays, charging the paint and hitting it out to our shooters.
“And honestly, while we won this championship as a team, if it wasn’t for young Abby Lee Wood at the end, sinking those threes I don’t think we would’ve won.”
TOP PERFORMERS
Erin Bollmann (Titans) 29pts, 10 two-pointers, 2 three-pointers, 19 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks – The league MVP was relentless all game long both on offence and in the back court. Making some inspirational drives, rebounds and stellar assists, her work containing Lightning's’ Taneesa Hampton and battles with Claire Maree Hunt were game defining and integral to her team’s maiden championship.
Claire Maree Hunt (Lightning) 24pts, 8 two-pointers, 4 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals – The spark all night for the Lightning, Hunt was on a mission. Hitting her shots from range and maintaining her relentless pressure on and off the ball, her ability to claw back points was highly impressive and clutch.
Abby Lee Wood (Titans) 35pts, 13 two-pointers, 7 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals – The sharpshooting 19-year-old was the difference at the buzzer. Reliable from range, her ability to sink threes either side of the line and making contested buckets in the dying stages showed great composure and skill.
MEN
TV Jets 87 def. 85 Ansett (25-21, 18-15, 24-17, 20-32):
In what was an utter nailbiter of a game, the TV Jets secured a spectacular victory and a fitting send-off for their captain and MVP Jerron Jamerson.
In a rematch of the semi two weeks prior, both Ansett and the Jets were in each others faces from the first whistle.
Anthony Golden hit the first points of the night with a slick layup to get his night on a roll.
After hitting back with some quick points of their own, Jets’ Golden was heating up, hitting back-to-back-to-back threes in quick succession.
Taking a 25-21 lead into the break, TV continued their momentum as Jerron Jamerson started to get into work and support players Taj Murray and Jacob Long hit stuck to their roles.
Through the third, the game became more akin to a footy match, with arms flailing about in the paint, players making Oscar worthy dives, and genuine shoulder to shoulder charges leaving many on the hardwood floor.
Ansett’s Matty Hunt, Hayden Brauer and Fred Williams settled down the offensive onslaught of TV with some buckets of their own, and down 67-53 with the last to play it looked for all money the Jets would run away with an easy win.
But Ansett had other plans.
After being fouled out in their earlier meeting, Ansett’s big number 8 Josh Spiers wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
Spiers took charge and made it his mission to get Ansett back in the game.
He made some incredible drives in the paint and a number of impressive three’s to reign in the score at 85-76 with 2 minutes on the clock.
Ansett then continued their assault through Williams and Spiers hit a three with 2.6 seconds left, taking the score to 86-85.
Fouling Golden, and sending him to the line, the American missed both free-throws, leaving a last second play in the hands of Hunt.
But there wasn’t wenough time left in the game as Hunt’s full court three left his hands after the full time buzzer rang out.
“I’d like to thank all the Ansett coaches and player’s and fans tonight,” MVP Jamerson said during the post game celebrations.
“Every game we’ve played this season came down to the wire.
“It’s been a long journey. I first came to the Jets in 2020, and we’d not been able to finish it off, but long story short, it’s been a lot of hard work, bringing Anthony Gordon over, it took us a long time but thanks again.”
TOP PERFORMERS
Anthony Golden (Jets) 35 pts, 11 two-pointers, 6 three-pointers, 7 free-throws, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals – The star of the night, Golden was the best on court in a stellar 35 point performance. Taking the lead, Golden was menacing Ansett’s defence all game. From breaking a few ankles to showing off some dance moves after big buckets, he kept his composure all night long and was the decision actor in the win.
Josh Spiers (Ansett) 32 pts, 10 two-pointers, 4 three-pointers, 8/8 free throws, 8 rebounds, 2 assists – The big man carried his side on the offence all game long. Spiers was huge in his 30 minutes and given some more game time could’ve changed the tides for his side. His clutch three was the highlight of the night and his never say die attitude shone through in every facet of his game.
Jerron Jamerson (Jets) 14pts, 5 two-pointers, 1 three-pointer, 3 free throws, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 2 block –
PLAYER STATS
Check out all the big scorers from the 3000+ players in the Darwin Basketball league.
GRAND FINAL PREVIEWS
WOMEN
Ellas Titans vs. Lightning:
A new force, Ellas Titans, has risen in the DBA Women’s Championship competition and are seeking a win for the ages.
Although, this is much easier said than done, as their opponents, Lightning, are lurking in the shadows, looking to avenge their grand final heartbreak against Tracy Village 12-months earlier.
The Ellas Titans shocked the competition last round, knocking off defending champions and perennial powerhouse TV Jets in their prelim-final, to book their spot in the grand final.
And riding a wave of momentum, the Titans are gunning for it all.
But standing in their way is a fierce Lightning unit, who showed their class when they dominated the Jets in their semi-final clash.
“On any given day, we have the player’s and the game plan to get the win,” departing Lightning captain Chelsea Brook said.
“Whether it’s myself, Taneesa Hampton or Kahlee Stanislaus or someone else who is hot and hitting their shots, we have the wherewithal to acknowledge that it’s their day and that we can make a game plan around them.
“We trust each other in defence to cover one another and also on offence we know that we aren’t going to take the shot if it isn’t there. So as long as we trust each other and keep belief in our system, we can definitely get the win.
“We also must limit the touches of Erin Bollmann and restrict both Catherine (Macgregor) and Abbey (Lee Wood) on offence.”
Titans’ Bollmann, also eager to end her time up north with a championship, says her team are on a roll and more than capable of defeating the Lightning tomorrow night.
“This is the first time that our team will be a whole,” she said.
“And I think it’s almost fate that we all come together for the final game of the season.”
The American believes that coming in as a bit of an underdog will give her side the edge in what she slates will be a very tough battle.
“We have some great players on offence and defence and while we give up some height, I think that can play into our advantage through our speed and quickness up and down the court.
“If we can maintain the impact of Chelsea Brook and Taneesa Hampton, I feel we can be the one’s lifting the cup.”
MEN
TV Jets vs. Ansett:
A semi-final rematch is on the way in this season’s grand final as the TV Jets and Ansett men battle it out for glory.
And after a nailbiting six point win in the semi, the Jets have the rub over Ansett, although the top two sides through the regular season will leave it all on the court for a chance to lift the championship trophy.
Former Salties captain and local hero Jerron Jamerson, playing in what will be his final game for the Jets, is adamant his side has the goods to topple Ansett.
“We didn’t get to this point relying on an individual to carry us,” Jamerson said.
“If we treat it like a regular game and do what we do best, we can get the win.
“We’ve got the guys to lead us on offence and in the back, so if we can replicate what worked in the semi, we should be good.
“We won by speeding Ansett up and being ultra aggressive which resulted in turnovers, so if we bring that energy and get up in their faces, we can disrupt their play.”
As for the player’s Jamerson is most concerned about shutting down, former Razzle teammate’s Fred Williams and Josh Spiers are high on his list, and will be a focus come the big dance.
On the other side of the fence, Ansett are looking for a fairytale send-off to one of DBA’s greats Matt Hunt, in what will be his final outing.
And while Ansett went down to the Jets in the first weekend of knockouts, Fred Williams says his team know how to right the wrongs of their defeat.
“Turnovers, we had too many turnovers,” Williams said.
“They (Jets) kept up the intensity and high pressure and we had about 30 turnovers.”
Williams is confident his team can put it together come game time, now with the prelim victory filling his sides sails
“We took a big step in the right direction with the win last week, and Hayden Brauer is back which is massive for us,” he said.
“We didn’t have him when we played them (Jets) earlier, but he was huge last week and having a guy back that’s been 20 and 10 all season, it brings a bit more size and depth to the equation.
“If we can get hot on offence, hold down Jamerson and Anthony Golden, and continue our strong defence, we have what we need to win.”
PRELIM-FINAL RECAPS
MEN
Ansett vs. Eagles:
The men of Ansett have claimed a thrilling fourth quarter victory to keep their championship hopes alive, after a thrilling 96-85 contest.
Up against a high-flying Eagles fresh off a win, Ansett gritted their teeth and got to work in the dying stages on Saturday night.
An even contest in the first set the tone for the night, as both sides stuck true to their guns, Eagles chucking it up from deep and Ansett more eager to attack the paint.
Close at the break, the Eagles had the edge with a 22-19 lead.
Ansett snapped into gear and started to compound the hurt, scoring eight unanswered points until Eagles’ Djuan Miller Ambros Eugster clawed back momentum, limiting Ansett to a 47-43 lead at the half.
Much the same in the third, the two sides couldn’t break away from the other, leaving the score deadlocked at 67 all with the final ten to play.
Sticking to the script, both outfits went shot for shot, unable to hold a lead.
Then all hell broke loose.
All square at 85-85 with 2.04 minutes left on the clock, Ansett went ballistic.
Starting with a free-throw from Hayden Brauer to put his team up by one, both sides went hell-for-leather, throwing bricks and giving up plenty of turnovers until Brauer was gifted more free-throws with 1.22 on the clock.
Sinking both and getting Ansett out to a three-point lead, the Eagles continued to be their own worst enemy, giving the ball back to Ansett for Luca Tutty to sink a three and take the lead to six.
Ansett continued their onslaught until the final siren, finishing with 13 consecutive points, booking a ticket to the big dance in stunning fashion.
Top Performers/Scorers:
Fred Williams – 5 three-pointers, 4 two-pointers, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 23pts
Hayden Brauer – 7 two-pointers, 6 free-throws, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks, 20pts
Djuan Miller – 4 two-pointers, 4 three-pointers, 7 free-throws,5 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks, 27pts
WOMEN
TV Jets vs. Titans:
The Ellas Titans have downed the spluttering Jets in a tight 71-68 scoreline.
Both sides vying for a spot in the championship game, it was the Titans who claimed victory, continuing their great post-season form.
After a dominant opening display saw the Jets take a 28-23 lead into the second, the Titans’ defence got their game together, cutting down their opponents output by half.
And putting up 19 points of their own, they were neck and neck at the half with 42 a piece.
Unlike the previous 20 minutes, the third was a turgid affair that saw neither side get a roll on in the offence.
However, the Titans did manage to hold a lead for the first time in the game, but not by much, as the sides went into the break 53-50.
The fourth and final term again saw both sides as even as could be, both recording 18 points for the quarter.
After the final buzzer, the Titans would finish the right side of a three-point margin, and in the process, booked themselves a ticket to the big dance.
Top Performers/Scorers:
Catherine Macgregor – 3 three-pointers, 1 two-pointer, 6 free-throws, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 17pts
Abbey Lee Wood – 3 two-pointers, 4 three-pointers, 4 free-throws, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 22pts
Kylie Duggan – 7 two-pointers, 1 three-pointer, 2 free-throws, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 19pts
PRELIM-FINALS PREVIEWS
MEN
Ansett vs. Eagles:
Defence will be key for Ansett as they take on the Eagles for a spot in the grand final on Saturday.
Following a six-point loss to the TV Jets in the semi-final, Ansett have a second chance to book their ticket in the big dance.
Although it won’t be easy, as their opponents are have a full head of steam leading into the do-or-die clash.
“We coughed up a very poor 30 turnovers (in the semi) which is way too many in any game,” Ansett’s captain Matt Hunt said on his side’s loss last Friday.
“We’ve been struggling to close out games through the second half of the season and that reared its head in the semi.
“We’ve been a bit thin for the past few weeks with injuries and blokes at representative titles. Fortunately, some of them will be back in the line up against the Eagles.
“Our starters have been carrying a big workload and if we can alleviate that, I’m confident we have the ability to get the win, we finished second for a reason after all.”
Confident his team has the offensive capabilities, the former Salties player highlighted defence will be the determining factor.
“They’ve (Eagles) got a unique four guard line-up that has proved tough to contain in the past,” Hunt said.
“Ambros (Eugster) and Joseph (Johnston) will be the two guys for us to focus on, and limit their involvement.
“It’s obviously the biggest game of the year for us and anything can happen but I’m confident we can get the job done.”
WOMEN
TV Jets vs. Titans:
Tracy Village have a tough task ahead of them with a red-hot Titans keen on spoiling their chances in the grand final.
Following a hefty loss in the semi to Lightning, the Jets will have their work cut out for them as their opponents the Titans showed their legitimacy as a title contender on full display with a 45 point win over the fourth placed Eagles.
Salties alum and local talent lead the way for Ellas, and will be looking to back up again against the Jets.
Watch out for Erin Bollmann to be the difference maker the Titans and Tyla Cubillo for the Jets.
SEMI-FINALS
The first round of DBA Championship finals delivered in spades as the men and women battled it out on the court at the Darwin Basketball Stadium.
From dominant wins and nailbiters to game-winning performances and heartache, the championship semi’s were jam-packed with action.
WOMEN
Lightning vs. TV Jets:
Lightning have rolled through to the grand final in the Darwin Basketball Association women’s championship competition after downing the TV Jets in their major semi-final.
The top two-ranked sides went head-to-head for a spot in the grand final, with the loser relegated to the prelim-final next week.
It was all too easy for the Lightning as they stormed to a triumphant 91-66 victory on Friday night.
The contest was evenly matched through the first term with the Lightning up 26-22 and it looked as if the Jets would strap in and get their game together following an animated quarter-time talk.
This wasn’t to be, as the Lightning used their size on rebounds and scramble shutdown defence to great effect, restricting the Jets to just nine points while compounding the hurt with 17 points of their own.
The ensuing period saw another dominant display by the Lightning as Salties’ Claire Maree Hunt and Chelsea Brook got into a rhythm on the offence, sinking threes for fun, blowing out the lead to 72-50 with 10 to play.
Kahlee Stanislaus and Taneesa Hampton joined in on the action in the fourth, Stanislaus with her brute strength and ability from the three and Hampton with her quick hands and feet, menacing the paint.
Despite a gutsy fightback from the Jets, namely Tyla Cubillo and Kaylani Duggan-Cole, their efforts were in vain as Lightning beat them by 25 points.
“We got bit hot tonight from the three with a few of us managing to sink our shots and long range two’s dropping,” Lightning’s Stanislaus said.
“They (Jets) are a really solid team and we had to be on our toes for the whole game.
“They move the ball well and we knew that if we were going to beat them, we’d have to be stronger, box them out and take high percentage shots.”
With her side now booked into the grand final, Stanislaus explained that regardless of their opponent, they need to play even better.
“The top three is very close in terms of skill and overall competition,” she said.
“It’s anyone’s game and we’ll definitely use the extra week off to rest, and prepare for and get a game plan together for the final."
Titans vs. Eagles:
In the other semi-final, it was the Titans who were victorious, sinking the Eagles in a proper demolition job, winning 100-55.
And for the Titans, their starting five came to ball.
All five of their starters played over 20 minutes with two playing 30, and four recorded double digit points.
Titans captain and Salties alum Erin Bollmann dropped 22 points, while also putting up 18 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and a block.
Catherine Macgregor and Abbey Lee Wood – also Salties alum’s – scored 22 and 23 points respectively.
As for the Eagles, they were never really in the contest, and with only five players and no subs, once Cobie Lee was fouled out in the third, it was all about damage control for the final term.
As for the Titans, their win will see them face-off against the Jets in the prelim this Saturday.
MEN
TV Jets vs. Ansett:
It was a back and forth encounter between the top placed Jets and second placed Ansett in their semi-final clash.
And from the off, it was clear neither side was willing to give the other even a sniff feeling comfortable.
Taking a 23-17 lead into the first break Ansett had all the momentum as their key-man Fred Williams looked set for another player of the match performance, and Joshua Spiers leading the way in the paint.
Williams was relentless with and without the ball, while trash-talking the unfortunate player who had to mark him all at the same time.
As for the second period, it was much the same, neither side willing to take a backward step, and applying relentless pressure up and down the court every single play.
Leading 45 to 40 at the half, Ansett were a no-show in the third, ambushed by Jets duo Jerron Jamerson and Anthony Golden.
Working seamlessly of each other, the duo broke down the Ansett defence with relative ease, and lead their side to a five-point lead headed into the fourth.
Now under the pump, Ansett did respond with the likes of Luca Tutty and Aiden Mckenney leading the charge. Although, untimely fouls and ill-disciple saw the side see three players foul out before the final buzzer.
In the end, the Jets booked their ticket to the granny, with Jamerson and Golden scoring 63 per cent of the side’s total points.
Eagles vs. Titans:
A bit less frantic than the previous game, the Eagles claimed a neat 125 to 109 win and a spot in the prelims, despite a valiant fourth quarter effort and a 41 point game from Elijah Sample for the Titans.
For the Eagles, Christopher Elder netted 36 points while fellow starters Ambros Eugster, Djuan Miller and Joseph Johnson scored 32, 26 and 24 points respectively.
Sample lead the way for the Titans with 41 while Deba George scored 26 and Nathan Jawai dropped 16.
The Eagles will now face-off against Ansett on Saturday for a spot in the grand final.
Litchfield grinds out win against major rivals to stay top
The Litchfield Bears have downed one of their major foes to stay top of the ladder after 10 rounds, while the Brothers marked a milestone with an important win. Catch up on the latest NRL NT action.
Sports Shorts: Cubbies take out third title in four seasons
From a third premiership in four seasons to a double ton, we take a look at the Territory sports stories you may have missed.